The launch of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally positions it as Microsoft’s semi-official counter to Valve’s hugely successful Steam Deck, effectively turning the two handheld PCs into direct rivals. In terms of overall value, the Steam Deck has traditionally held the upper hand, but recent pricing changes have shifted the equation. With Valve retiring its cheapest Steam Deck model and Best Buy discounting the ROG Xbox Ally by $100, the Windows-based handheld now starts at $499.99, making it technically cheaper than its closest Steam Deck OLED competitor.
The discounted model is the white Asus ROG Xbox Ally powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 processor. The black variant, branded with the added “X,” features a faster chip, increased memory and storage, and a few additional enhancements, but it remains priced at around $1,000 with no current discounts. As a result, the white model stands out as the more accessible option, especially for users looking to enter the handheld PC gaming space without paying a premium.
At $500, the ROG Xbox Ally undercuts the mid-tier Steam Deck OLED by roughly $50 while offering a newer APU, a higher-resolution and faster display, a larger battery, and quicker charging support. Core specifications such as 16GB of RAM, 512GB of internal storage, and a MicroSD card slot are broadly comparable between the two devices, making performance and platform differences the key deciding factors rather than raw specs alone.
While the Steam Deck’s hardware is beginning to show its age, the $550 OLED model still brings unique advantages, including a slightly larger OLED panel, dual touchpads for more precise control, and SteamOS. Valve’s Linux-based operating system has earned praise for its gaming-focused design and surprisingly strong compatibility with Windows titles via its translation layer. However, for games that require native Windows support—particularly multiplayer titles with kernel-level anti-cheat systems—the ROG Xbox Ally offers broader compatibility. With Best Buy’s limited-time discount in play, prospective buyers may want to decide quickly before the price returns to normal.
